ECG electrode connector

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an ECG electrode lead wire connector which provides improved electrical and mechanical coupling of the ECG electrode press stud to the lead wire, provides enhanced ergonomics to the clinician, and may alleviate patient discomfort associated with the attachment and removal of ECG leads. The connector may be engaged and disengaged with little or no force imparted to the patient or the ECG pad, which significantly minimizes the risk of inadvertent dislodgement of the pad. In one embodiment the disclosed connector provides a thumb cam lever which affirmatively engages the press stud to the connector, and provides tactile feedback to the clinician that the connector is properly engaged. In other embodiments, the connector provides a pushbutton to enable the clinician to easily engage and disengage the connector from the ECG stud. The disclosed connectors may also decrease clinician fatigue, and may provide more reliable ECG results.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/785,713, filed on Mar. 5, 2013, which is a Continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/443,096, filed on Apr. 10, 2012, now U.S.Pat. No. 8,408,948, which is a Continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/182,656, filed on Jul. 14, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No.8,152,571, which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/330,550, filed on Dec. 9, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,038,484, whichclaims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/012,825, filed Dec. 11, 2007, the entirety of each of which is herebyincorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to biomedical electrodes, and inparticular, to a biomedical electrode connector for attaching a leadwire to an electrocardiogram (ECG) electrode placed on a patient's body.

2. Background of Related Art

Electrocardiograph (ECG) monitors are widely used to obtain medical(i.e. biopotential) signals containing information indicative of theelectrical activity associated with the heart and pulmonary system. Toobtain medical signals, ECG electrodes are applied to the skin of apatient in various locations. The electrodes, after being positioned onthe patient, connect to an ECG monitor by a set of ECG lead wires. Thedistal end of the ECG lead wire, or portion closest to the patient, mayinclude a connector which is adapted to operably connect to theelectrode to receive medical signals from the body. The proximal end ofthe ECG lead set is operably coupled to the ECG monitor and supplies themedical signals received from the body to the ECG monitor.

A typical ECG electrode assembly may include an electrically conductivelayer and a backing layer, the assembly having a patient contact sideand a connector side. The contact side of the electrode pad may includebiocompatible conductive gel or adhesive for affixing the electrode to apatient's body for facilitating an appropriate electrical connectionbetween a patient's body and the electrode assembly. The connector sideof the pad may incorporate a metallic press stud having a bulbousprofile for coupling the electrode pad to the ECG lead wire. In use, theclinician removes a protective covering from the electrode side toexpose the gel or adhesive, affixes the electrode pad to the patient'sbody, and attaches the appropriate ECG lead wire connector to the pressstud by pressing or “snapping” the lead wire connector onto the bulbouspress stud to achieve mechanical and electrical coupling of theelectrode and lead wire. After use, a clinician then removes the ECGlead wire connector from the pad by pulling or “unsnapping” theconnector from the pad.

The described ECG lead wire connector may have drawbacks. A clinicianmust apply considerable downward force on the lead wire connector toachieve positive engagement of the connector to the press stud. Thishigh connecting force may cause additional and unnecessary discomfort orpain to the patient, whose existing medical condition may already be asource of discomfort or pain. A patient's discomfort may be compoundedby the need to connect multiple electrodes which are customarilyemployed during ECG procedures.

Upon completion of the ECG procedure, a clinician must unsnap the ECGlead wire connector from the pad, which may further cause discomfort tothe patient. In some instances, the connector does not readily disengagefrom the press stud thus requiring the clinician to use considerableupward force to unseat the connector. Often, these attempts to decouplethe ECG lead wire connector from the electrode press stud will insteadcause the pad to be suddenly and painfully torn from the patient's skinIn other instances, attempts to detach the ECG lead wire will cause thepad to become partially dislodged from the patient, which may impair theelectrode's ability to receive biopotential signals. This is undesirablewhen, for example, the clinician wishes to detach the lead wirestemporarily yet wishes to leave the pads in place to perform ECG testingon the patient at a future time.

In yet other instances, a snap lock connector may engage the press studwith insufficient force, which may cause suboptimal signal transmissionfrom the electrode to the lead wire, as well as allowing the connectorto be disengaged inadvertently by, for example, a slight tug on the leadwire. These effects are undesirable, because they may invalidate the ECGprocedure, requiring time-consuming re-testing of the patient, or maylead to delayed, inaccurate or unreliable test results.

Additionally, the process of snapping and unsnapping lead wireconnectors from ECG pads, while simultaneously striving to avoid theabove-mentioned adverse effects, requires considerable manual dexterityon the part of the ECG clinician. Since clinicians typically repeat theelectrode connection/disconnection routine many times each day, thedescribed drawbacks may lead to clinician discontentment and fatigue.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure, there isprovided an ECG lead wire connector which includes a housing and a thumbcam lever having an open and a closed position. In the open position,the press stud of an ECG electrode assembly may be inserted into amating receptacle provided in the housing, optionally usinginsignificant or no insertion force. Once placed in position, the thumbcam lever may be moved to the closed position, thereby positivelycoupling the press stud and connector without imparting undesirableforce to the ECG electrode pad or to the patient. Detents may beprovided by the disclosed lever to provide positive locking of theconnector in the closed position to achieve optimal electrical couplingbetween the press stud and the connector, and additionally to providetactile feedback to the clinician that the thumb cam lever is properlylocked.

The connector may include a spring member which biases the thumb camlever in the direction of the open position when the lever is unlocked.The spring member is configured to operably engage the narrow “waist”portion of the bulbous press stud when the thumb cam lever is in theclosed position. When the thumb cam lever is in the closed position, thespring member biases the press stud against a mating electrical contactmember provided within the connector housing to electrically couple thepress stud and the contact member, and to achieve positive mechanicalcoupling of the press stud and the connector housing. The electricalcontact member is operably coupled to the distal end of a lead wire byany suitable means, such as soldering, crimping, welding, or wirebonding. The proximal end of the lead wire may terminate in any suitablemanner, such as to a connector, for operably coupling the lead wire toan ECG monitor. The lead wire may be supported at its exit point fromthe housing by a strain relief.

In another embodiment according to the present disclosure, an ECG leadwire connector is provided which includes a housing, and a pushbuttonhaving an external face and an internal engaging surface. The pushbuttonis biased by a spring member toward a locked position when released(i.e., when no pressure is applied to the pushbutton), and having anunlocked position when depressed (i.e., when sufficient pressure isapplied to the face of the pushbutton by, for example, a clinician). Areceptacle adapted to accept an electrode pad press stud is providedwithin the connector housing. When the pushbutton is depressed, theengaging surface thereof is configured to allow the insertion of a pressstud into the receptacle, optionally using insignificant or no insertionforce. Once the press stud is inserted, the pushbutton may be released,which causes the spring member to bias the engaging surface of thepushbutton against the press stud, engaging the press stud and a matingelectrical contact member provided within the connector housing, toelectrically couple the press stud and the contact member, and toachieve positive mechanical coupling of the press stud and the connectorhousing.

In one embodiment envisioned within the scope of the present disclosure,the pushbutton face may be positioned at the distal end of the connectorhousing. The spring member may be a coil spring positioned between theproximal end of the pushbutton and a corresponding saddle providedwithin the connector housing. The engaging surface is defined by anopening provided within the central portion of the pushbutton.

In another embodiment contemplated by the present disclosure, thepushbutton is a pivoting lever having at one end an external facepositioned at the central region of the connector housing, and at theopposite end an engaging surface for engaging the press stud. The springmember may be a leaf spring positioned at the face end of the lever,between the housing and the lever, such that the lever face end isbiased outwardly from the housing. Additionally or alternatively, theleaf spring may be positioned at the clamping end of the lever.

In the various embodiments, it is envisioned the electrical contactmember provides a contact opening to receive the press stud. The openingmay have narrow end and a wide end. For example, the opening may have anovoid shape exhibiting one axis of symmetry (“egg-shaped”).Alternatively, the contact opening may be pear-shaped, keyhole-shaped,circular, or described by the intersection of two partially-coincidentcircles of differing radii. The opening may be dimensioned at its wideend to accept the bulbous press stud, optionally with insignificant orno interference. Conversely, the narrow end of the opening may bedimensioned to capture the narrow waist portion of the press stud. Thecontact opening may be configured such that, when engaged, the pressstud is biased and/or clamped against the narrow end of the contactopening.

It should be understood that the spring members disclosed herein are notlimited to coil and/or leaf springs, and may include any suitable sourceof biasing force, including without limitation gas springs, pressure- orvacuum-actuated devices, elastomeric springs, magnetic orelectromagnetic devices, shape memory alloy motors, and other sources ofbiasing force as will be familiar to the skilled practitioner.Additionally or alternatively, the spring members may be integrallyformed with, for example, the housing, lever, or pushbutton.

Other embodiments are envisioned within the present disclosure, such asan ECG lead wire connector having a plurality of pushbuttons, forexample, that are disposed on opposite sides of the housing, wherein atleast one button is operable to engage and disengage the press stud ofan ECG pad.

Alternative modalities of press stud engagement are envisioned wherein,for example, the pushbutton operates in a push-on/push off fashion. Inthis arrangement, the connector is initially provided in an open orunlocked configuration. The press stud may then be inserted into thereceptacle, optionally with insignificant or no insertion force. Once inplace, the press stud may be engaged by pressing the pushbutton in afirst push-on step. To disengage the press stud, the pushbutton isdepressed a second time to release the press stud in a second push-offstep and to reset the connector to the initial state, thereby readyingthe connector for subsequent use. In another modality of press studengagement, the connector includes a source of biasing force, such as aspring member, that is configured to automatically engage a press studupon detection of a triggering event, such as the insertion of a pressstud into the connector. To disengage the press stud, a release control,such as a pushbutton or lever, is provided such that when said releasecontrol is actuated (i.e., pressed or moved), the press stud is releasedand/or ejected from the housing. It is further contemplated thatactuating the release control resets the connector to the initial state,thereby readying the connector for subsequent use. Still othermodalities of disengagement are contemplated where, for example, thepress stud may be disengaged by pushing, pulling, twisting or otherwisemoving the connector housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the presently disclosed ECG electrode connectorare disclosed herein with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an ECG electrodeconnector in accordance with the present disclosure having a thumb camlever in an open position;

FIG. 2 illustrates the ECG connector of FIG. 1 having a thumb cam leverin a closed position in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A is a top view of the FIG. 1 embodiment of an ECG electrodeconnector in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3B is a bottom view of the FIG. 1 embodiment of an ECG electrodeconnector in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3C is a side view of the FIG. 1 embodiment of an ECG electrodeconnector in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3D is a side cutaway view of the FIG. 1 embodiment of an ECGelectrode connector in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3E is an oblique view of the FIG. 1 embodiment of an ECG electrodeconnector in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of an ECG electrodeconnector in accordance with the present disclosure having a pushbuttonin a released position;

FIG. 5 illustrates the ECG connector of FIG. 4 having a pushbutton in adepressed position in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 6A is a top view of the FIG. 4 embodiment of an ECG electrodeconnector in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 6B is a bottom view of the FIG. 4 embodiment of an ECG electrodeconnector in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 6C is a side cutaway view of the FIG. 4 embodiment of an ECGelectrode connector having a pushbutton in a released position inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 6D is a side cutaway view of the FIG. 4 embodiment of an ECGelectrode connector having a pushbutton in a depressed position inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of yet another embodiment of an ECGelectrode connector in accordance with the present disclosure having apivoting lever pushbutton in a released position;

FIG. 8 illustrates the ECG connector of FIG. 7 having a pivoting leverpushbutton in a depressed position in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9A is a top view of the FIG. 7 embodiment of an ECG electrodeconnector in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 9B is a bottom view of the FIG. 7 embodiment of an ECG electrodeconnector in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 9C is a side view of the FIG. 7 embodiment of an ECG electrodeconnector in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 9D is an oblique view of the FIG. 7 embodiment of an ECG electrodeconnector in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 10A is an exemplary side detail view of an ECG electrode connectorin accordance with the present disclosure disengaged from a press studof an ECG pad;

FIG. 10B is an exemplary side detail view of an ECG electrode connectorin accordance with the present disclosure engaging a press stud of anECG pad;

FIG. 11A is a schematic diagram of still another embodiment of an ECGelectrode connector in accordance with the present disclosure having athumb cam lever in a closed position;

FIG. 11B illustrates the ECG connector of FIG. 11A having a thumb camlever in an open position in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 12A is an exploded view of a yet another embodiment of an ECGelectrode connector in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 12B is a bottom view of the FIG. 12A embodiment of an ECG electrodeconnector in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 12C is an oblique view of the FIG. 12A embodiment of an ECGelectrode connector in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 13A is a schematic diagram of the FIG. 12A embodiment of an ECGelectrode connector in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 13B is a top view of the FIG. 12A embodiment of an ECG electrodeconnector in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 13C is a side view of the FIG. 12A embodiment of an ECG electrodeconnector in accordance with the present disclosure; and

FIG. 13D is a bottom view of the FIG. 12A embodiment of an ECG electrodeconnector in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the presently disclosed ECG electrode connector andmethod are described herein in detail with reference to the drawings, inwhich like reference numerals designate identical or correspondingelements in each of the several views. As shown in the drawings and asdescribed throughout the following description, and as is traditionalwhen referring to relative positioning on an object, the term “proximal”refers to the end of the apparatus which is closer to the monitor andthe term “distal” refers to the end of the apparatus which is furtherfrom the monitor. In the following description, well-known functions orconstructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the presentdisclosure in unnecessary detail.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3A, there is shown an embodiment of an ECGelectrode connector 100 having a thumb cam lever 110. The connector 100includes a housing 105 that includes a cavity 106, a pivot pin 115, anda thumb cam lever 110 having a pivot hole 116 defined thereindimensioned to pivotably couple thumb cam lever 110 to pivot pin 115.Connector 100 may also include a cover 305 which optionally includes anidentification marking 310 which may be incorporated with cover 305 byany suitable means, including without limitation printing, engraving,silk screening, stamping, or integrally molding said marking 310 ontocover 305. The housing 105, lever 110 and cover 305 may be constructedof any suitable non-conductive material, including without limitationany thermoplastic and/or elastomeric polymer such as polybutyleneterephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinylchloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), thermoplasticpolyurethanes (TPU), thermoplastic vulcanates (TPV), polypropylene (PP),polyethylene (PE), and/or fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP).

A V-spring 120 having a coil base 130, a fixed leg 131 and a movable leg132 is coupled to housing 110 within cavity 106. Coil base 130 ofV-spring 120 may be multi-turn, single-turn, or a V-shaped apex withouta coil. V-spring 120 is retained at its base by pin 117 and is joined tohousing 105 at its fixed end by saddle 125 such that movable leg 132 isbiased in a distal direction, i.e., towards pivot pin 115. Additionallyor alternatively, V-spring 120 may be joined to saddle 125 or cavity 106by any suitable manner of bonding, such as by adhesive or heat welding.A stop 135 limits the outward flexure of movable leg 132. Thumb camlever 110 includes a cam 102 which communicates with a detent 140 ofspring member 120 when thumb cam lever 120 moves to a closed position,as shown in FIG. 2. Detent 140 and cam 102 cooperate to lock thumb camlever 110 in a closed position, and additionally or alternatively,provide tactile feedback to a clinician. Additional locking and tactilefeedback may be provided by the engagement of a lever detent 160 with acorresponding dimple (not shown) provided on thumb cam lever 110. Alever recess 180 may be provided by housing 105 to receive lever 110when lever 110 is in the closed position. A finger recess 165 isprovided on housing 105 to facilitate manipulation and/or grasping ofthumb cam lever 110 by the clinician.

Connector 100 further includes an electrical contact member 155 which isdisposed upon cavity 106. Contact member 155 may be constructed from anysuitable electrically conductive material, including without limitationstainless steel or low-carbon steel. It is also envisioned contactmember 155 may be constructed of a non-conductive material having aconductive coating. Contact member 155 is electrically coupled to a leadwire 175 by any suitable manner of connection, such as a crimp 156, oradditionally or alternatively, soldering or wire bonding. Lead wire 175may optionally be supported at its exit point from housing 105 by astrain relief 170. Contact member 155 provides a contact opening 145defined therein to accept an electrical contact, such as a bulbous pressstud of an ECG pad. In the embodiment, the contact opening 145 may beasymmetrical in shape, such as, for example, an ovoid shape dimensionedat its wide end 151 to accept the bulbous press stud, and dimensioned atits narrow end 150 to capture the narrow waist portion of the pressstud. Referring now to FIGS. 3B, 3D, 10A and 10B, the bottom surface 330of housing 105 provides an aperture 320 disposed therein which exposescontact opening 145 to the exterior of connector 100 to facilitateinsertion of a press stud into the connector.

Engaging a press stud into connector 100 may be accomplished bypositioning lever 110 to an open position as shown in FIG. 1, whereuponcam 102 rotates away from detent 140, permitting movable leg 132 ofV-spring 120 to flex distally and come to rest upon stop 135. A pressstud may then be introduced into connector 100 by, for example, placingconnector 100 over a press stud such that the bulbous end press stud ispositioned within opening 145, as shown in FIG. 10A. Subsequent toinsertion of the press stud, lever 110 may then be moved to the closedposition as illustrated in FIG. 2, causing cam 102 to rotate towardsmoveable leg 132 of V-spring 120. The rotation of cam 102 causes it toride over detent 140 thereby compressing movable leg 132 in a proximaldirection, which mechanically engages and electrically couples the pressstud with narrow end 150 of opening 145, as shown in FIG. 10B.Conversely, a press stud engaged with connector 100 as described may bedisengaged by moving lever 110 from a closed position to an openposition, causing cam 102 to rotate away from detent 140 and relaxmovable leg 132 of V-spring 120, which disengages the press stud andpermits its removal as will be readily appreciated. In anotherembodiment as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B in, an ECG electrode connector1100 is provided wherein a cam is configured to cause mechanicalengagement between the press stud and an electrical contact member. Aspring may be added to facilitate the opening and actuation of the lever110.

Turning now to FIGS. 4, 5, 6A, and 6B, another embodiment according tothe present disclosure provides an ECG lead wire connector 400 thatincludes a housing 405 which provides a cavity 406, and a pushbutton 410having an external face 411 and an internal engaging surface 432.Connector 400 may also include a cover 605 which optionally includes anidentification marking 610 as previously described herein. Housing 405,pushbutton 410, cover 605 may be constructed from any suitablenon-conductive material as previously described.

Pushbutton 410 is slidably disposed within housing 405 and is biased ina distal direction by a coil spring 420 that is retained at its distal(pushbutton) end by a saddle 426 provided by pushbutton 410, and at itsproximal (housing) end by a saddle 425 provided by housing 405.Pushbutton 410 includes at least one stop member 436 which cooperateswith stop members 435 and 437 provided within housing 405 to define thedistal and proximal limits of travel, respectively, of pushbutton 410.Pushbutton 410 includes an opening 430 disposed therein having anengaging surface 432 for coupling the connector 400 to a press stud aswill be further described below.

Connector 400 further includes an electrical contact member 455 which isdisposed upon cavity 406. Contact member 455 is electrically coupled toa lead wire 475 by any suitable manner of connection as previouslydisclosed herein. Lead wire 475 may optionally be supported at its exitpoint from housing 405 by a strain relief 470. Contact member 455provides a contact opening 445 defined therein to accept an electricalcontact, such as a press stud, and may be an asymmetrical in shape aspreviously described herein, having a distal narrow end 450 and aproximal wide end 451. The bottom surface 630 of housing 405 provides anaperture 620 disposed therein which exposes contact opening 445 to theexterior of connector 400 to facilitate insertion of a press stud intothe connector.

Engaging a press stud into connector 400 may be accomplished bydepressing pushbutton 410, by, for example, applying sufficient fingerpressure to pushbutton face 411 so as to overcome the bias of coilspring 420, thereby moving pushbutton 410 from a distal locked positionas shown in FIG. 4 to a proximal open position as shown in FIG. 5.Opening 430 correspondingly moves proximally, exposing the wide proximalend 451 of contact opening 445 and facilitating the insertion of a pressstud into connector 400 as best shown in FIG. 6D. Subsequent toinsertion of a press stud, pushbutton 410 may then be released whereuponthe biasing force of coil spring 420 causes pushbutton 410 to movedistally, causing engaging surface 432 to mechanically engage andelectrically couple the press stud with narrow end 450 of contactopening 445, as best shown in FIG. 6C. Conversely, a press stud engagedwith connector 400 as described may be disengaged by depressingpushbutton 410, causing engaging surface 432 to move proximally,releasing the press stud and facilitating its removal from connector400. Upon removal of the press stud, pushbutton 410 may be released,readying connector 400 for subsequent use. It is also contemplated inthis embodiment to add components, such as linkages or gearing, betweenpushbutton and electrical contact member to achieve mechanical advantageand improved clamping or connection force.

Yet another embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure isdescribed with reference to FIGS. 7, 8, 9A, and 9B, wherein is shown anECG lead wire connector 700 having a housing 705 which provides a cavity706, and a lever 710 pivotally disposed thereupon having an actuatingend 715, an external pushbutton face 711, a pivot 712, and an engagingregion 716. Connector 700 may also include a cover 905 which optionallyincludes an identification marking 910 as previously described herein.Housing 705, lever 710, and cover 605 may be constructed from anysuitable non-conductive material as previously described herein.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, lever 710 includes a pivot hole 713 disposedtherein for pivotally engaging a pivot pin 714 that is provided byhousing 705. Actuation end 715 of lever 710 is biased in an outwarddirection by a leaf spring 720 that is retained at its lever end bysurface 726 of lever 710, and at its housing end by a surface 725 ofhousing 705. Additionally or alternatively, leaf spring 720 may includeat least one tab (not shown) retained by at least one slot (not shown)provided by lever surface 726 and/or housing surface 725. Engagingregion 716 of lever 710 includes an engaging surface 732 for couplingthe connector 700 to a press stud as will be further described below.

Connector 700 further includes an electrical contact member 755 which isdisposed upon cavity 706. Contact member 755 is electrically coupled toa lead wire 775 by any suitable manner of connection as previouslydisclosed herein. Lead wire 775 may optionally be supported at its exitpoint from housing 705 by a strain relief 770. Contact member 755provides a contact opening 745 defined therein to accept an electricalcontact, such as a press stud, and may be an asymmetrical in shape aspreviously described herein, having a narrow end 750 and a wide end 751as best illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9B. The bottom surface 930 of housing705 provides an aperture 920 disposed therein which exposes contactopening 745 to the exterior of connector 700 to facilitate insertion ofa press stud into the connector.

Engaging a press stud into connector 700 may be accomplished bydepressing pushbutton face 711, by, for example, applying sufficientfinger pressure thereto so as to overcome the bias of leaf spring 720,thereby causing engaging region 716 of lever 710 to swing from a closedposition as shown in FIG. 7 to an open position as shown in FIG. 8. Thewide end 751 of contact opening 745 is thereby exposed thus facilitatingthe insertion of a press stud into connector 700. Pushbutton face 711may then be released whereupon the biasing force of leaf spring 720causes engaging surface 732 to move toward the inserted press stud tomechanically engage and electrically couple the press stud with narrowend 750 of contact opening 745, as will be readily appreciated.Conversely, a press stud engaged with connector 700 as described may bedisengaged by depressing pushbutton 710, causing engaging surface 732 toswing away from the press stud (i.e., away from narrow end 750 ofcontact opening 745), releasing the press stud and facilitating itsremoval from connector 700. Upon removal of the press stud, pushbuttonface 711 may then be released, readying connector 700 for subsequentuse.

With reference now to FIGS. 12A-C and FIGS. 13 A-D, an embodiment of anECG electrode connector 1320 includes a housing 1322 having an uppermember 1324 and a lower member 1326, and defining an internal cavity1328 therebetween. Housing 1322 is fabricated from a non-conductingmaterial, e.g., an injection molded polymer which electrically insulatesthe subject from the conductive element(s) therewithin. Upper member1324 and lower member 1326 are separate components attached to eachother by any suitable method of bonding, such as without limitation,adhesive, ultrasonic welding, or heat welding. Upper member 1324 andlower member 1326 form a non-conductive element of the housing 1322.

Housing 1322 includes a lead wire terminal 1330 which is electricallyconnected to a respective end of lead wire 1304 by any suitable methodof connection, including without limitation, crimping, soldering, orwelding. Housing 1322 supports a contact member 1332 that iselectrically connected to lead wire terminal 1330. Contact member 1332and lead wire terminal 1330 may be integrally formed. Contact member1332 defines a contact opening 1334 formed therein and in communicationwith internal cavity 1328 of housing 1322. Contact opening 1334 includesfirst contact opening portion 1334 a and second contact opening portion1334 b. First contact opening portion 1334 a defines an internaldimension or diameter which is greater than the corresponding internaldimension or diameter of second contact opening portion 1334 b.

Housing 1322 further includes a lever 1340 pivotably connected thereto.Lever 1340 includes an actuating end 1336. Lever 1340 is biased to afirst position by a biasing member 1338. Lever 1340 includes an engagingregion 1336 a projecting therefrom so as to extend across first contactopening portion 1334 a of contact opening 1334 when lever 1340 is in thefirst position. In use, lever 1340 is actuatable to a second positionwherein engaging region 1336 a thereof does not obstruct or extendacross first contact opening portion 1334 a of contact opening 1334. Forexample, a clinician may apply finger pressure to actuating end 1336that is sufficient to overcome the biasing force of biasing member 1338,thereby causing engaging region 1336 a to move to a second position asherein described.

ECG electrode connector 1320 is adapted for connection to a conventionalsnap-type biomedical electrode (not explicitly shown). A typicalsnap-type biomedical electrode incorporates an electrode flange or baseand male press stud or terminal extending in transverse relation to theelectrode base. The male press stud terminal may have a bulbous headwhereby an upper portion of the terminal has a greater cross-sectionaldimension than a lower portion of the terminal. Accordingly, in use,when lever 1340 of electrode connector 1320 is in the second position,the head of the male press stud terminal of the snap-type biomedicalelectrode may be inserted into first contact opening portion 1334 a ofcontact opening 1334 and actuating end 1336, and thus, lever 1340, maybe released so that biasing member 1338 moves engaging region 1336 a oflever 1340 against the head of the male press stud (not explicitlyshown) to push or force the lower portion of the press stud into asecond contact opening portion 1334 b of contact opening 1334. Thebiasing force of biasing member 1338 helps to maintain the press studwithin second contact opening portion 1334 b of contact opening 1334 andthus inhibits removal or disconnection of the biomedical electrode fromECG connector 1320.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made to theembodiments disclosed herein. Further variations of the above-disclosedand other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may bedesirably combined into many other different systems, instruments andapplications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipatedalternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may besubsequently made by those skilled in the art, which are also intendedto be encompassed by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An ECG connector assembly, comprising: a housinghaving a first opening dimensioned to receive a press stud of an ECGelectrode pad; an electrical contact member fixed to the housing anddefining a contact plane and having a second opening smaller than anddisposed at least partially within the first opening; and a leverpivotable about an axis orthogonal to the contact plane and having atleast an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein the levercomprises an actuating portion, an engaging region, and a pivot, theengaging region configured to operably engage the press stud to cause aportion of the press stud to contact the electrical contact member whenthe lever is in the engaged position.
 2. The ECG connector assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the engaging region extends across the second openingwhen the lever is in the engaged position.
 3. The ECG connector assemblyof claim 1 wherein the engaging region is between the pivot and theactuating portion.
 4. The ECG connector assembly of claim 1 wherein thesecond opening is disposed substantially concentrically with respect tothe first opening.
 5. The ECG connector assembly of claim 1 furthercomprising a biasing member configured to bias the lever towards theengaged position.
 6. The ECG connector assembly of claim 1 wherein thesecond opening includes a first contact opening portion and a secondcontact opening portion, wherein an internal dimension of the firstcontact opening portion is greater than a corresponding internaldimension of the second contact opening portion.
 7. The ECG connectorassembly of claim 1 wherein the second opening has a shape selected fromthe group consisting of ovoid shaped, pear-shaped, keyhole-shaped,circular, and a shape described by the intersection of twopartially-coincident circles.
 8. The ECG connector assembly of claim 1wherein the electrical contact member is constructed from materialselected from the group consisting of stainless steel and low-carbonsteel.
 9. The ECG connector assembly of claim 1 wherein the housing andthe lever are constructed from an electrically non-conducting material.10. The ECG connector assembly of claim 1 further comprising: a leadwire coupled to the electrical contact member; and a strain reliefhaving at least a portion of the lead wire disposed therethrough. 11.The ECG connector assembly of claim 1 wherein the actuating portion ofthe lever protrudes through a lever recess defined in a side wall of thehousing when the lever is in the engaged position.
 12. The ECG connectorassembly of claim 11 further comprising: a detent provided within thelever recess; and a dimple, corresponding to the detent, provided on thelever, wherein the detent and the dimple engage to retain the lever whenthe lever is in the disengaged position.
 13. An ECG connector assembly,comprising: a housing having an aperture dimensioned to operably receivea press stud; an electrical contact member defining a contact plane andhaving a contact opening that is at least partially exposed within theaperture; a lever having an actuating portion, a pivot, and an engagingregion, wherein the pivot is pivotable between an engaged position and adisengaged position, the engaging region configured to retain a pressstud inserted into the aperture of the housing against at least aportion of the electrical contact member when the lever is in theengaged position and wherein the actuating portion and the engagingregion are positioned in a lever plane parallel to the contact plane;and a biasing member configured to bias the lever towards the engagedposition.
 14. The ECG connector assembly of claim 13 wherein theengaging region extends across the contact opening when the lever is inthe engaged position.
 15. The ECG connector assembly of claim 13 whereinthe engaging region is between the pivot and the actuating portion. 16.The ECG connector assembly of claim 13 wherein the contact opening isdisposed substantially concentrically with respect to the aperture. 17.The ECG connector assembly of claim 13 wherein the lever is pivotableabout an axis orthogonal to the contact plane.
 18. An ECG connectorassembly, comprising: a housing having a first opening dimensioned toreceive a press stud of an ECG electrode pad; an electrical contactmember defining a contact plane and having a second opening smaller thanand disposed at least partially within the first opening; and a leverpivotable about an axis orthogonal to the contact plane and having atleast an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein the levercomprises an actuating portion, a pivot, and an engaging region betweenthe pivot and the actuating portion, the engaging region configured tooperably engage the press stud to cause a portion of the press stud tocontact the electrical contact member when the lever is in the engagedposition.
 19. The ECG connector assembly of claim 18 wherein theengaging region extends across the first opening when the lever is inthe engaged position.
 20. The ECG connector assembly of claim 18 furthercomprising a biasing member configured to bias the lever towards theengaged position.
 21. The ECG connector assembly of claim 18 wherein thehousing and the lever are constructed from an electricallynon-conducting material.
 22. An ECG connector assembly, comprising: ahousing having an opening dimensioned to receive a press stud of an ECGelectrode pad; an electrical contact member fixed to the housing anddefining a contact plane, wherein the contact member comprises a contactregion disposed within the housing opening; and a lever pivotable aboutan axis orthogonal to the contact plane and having at least an engagedposition and a disengaged position, wherein the lever comprises anactuating portion, an engaging region, and a pivot, the engaging regionconfigured to operably engage the press stud to cause a portion of thepress stud to contact the contact region of the electrical contactmember when the lever is in the engaged position.
 23. The ECG connectorassembly of claim 22 wherein the engaging region is located between thepivot and the actuating portion.
 24. The ECG connector assembly of claim22 wherein the pivot is located between the engaging region and theactuating portion.
 25. The ECG connector assembly of claim 22 furthercomprising a biasing member configured to bias the lever towards theengaged position.